2020 NISSAN LEAF coolant level

Plug-in
indicator light
This light illuminates when the charge con-
nector is connected to the vehicle and
blinks during charging.
NOTE:
If the charge connector is connected to
the vehicle, the power switch cannot be
placed in the READY to drive position.
Power limitation
indicator light
When the power limitation indicator light is
illuminated, the power provided to the trac-
tion motor is reduced. Therefore the ve-
hicle is not as responsive when the accel-
erator is depressed while the power
limitation light is illuminated.
When this light comes on, the warning dis-
play appears within the vehicle information
display. Follow the instructions provided on
the vehicle information display.
This light illuminates in the following condi-
tions.
• Li-ion battery available charge is ex-tremely low • Li-ion battery temperature is very low
(approximately −4°F (−20°C)
• When the temperature of the EV system is high (motor, inverter, coolant system,
Li-ion battery etc.)
• When the EV system has a malfunction.
If the low battery charge indicator is illumi-
nated, charge the Li-ion battery as soon as
possible.
If this indicator illuminates because the Li-
ion battery is cold due to low outside tem-
peratures, move the vehicle to a warmer
location. The Li-ion battery temperature
may be increased by charging the Li-ion
battery.
If the light illuminates when the EV system
becomes hot due to continuous hill climb-
ing, either continue driving at a slower safe
speed or stop the vehicle in a safe location.
If this indicator does not turn off, have the
system checked. It is recommended that
you visit a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer for
this service.
The indicator illuminates when a part in the
EV system has malfunctioned. If the indica-
tor illuminates in a situation other than
those described above, or if it does not turn
off, there may be a system malfunction.
Have the system checked. It is recom- mended that you visit a NISSAN certified
LEAF dealer for this service.
WARNING
Power limitation mode can result in re-
duced power and vehicle speed. The re-
duced speed may be lower than other
traffic, which could increase the chance
of a collision. Be especially careful
when driving. If the vehicle cannot
maintain a safe driving speed, pull to
the side of the road in a safe area.
Charge the Li-ion battery if the charge
is low or allow the Li-ion battery to cool.
NOTE:
You can reduce charging time and keep
the Li-ion battery temperature lower if
you:
• Charge more frequently in smaller amounts, and
• Keep the battery at a higher level of charge.
READY to drive
indicator light
The READY to drive indicator light illumi-
nates when the EV system is powered and
the vehicle may be driven.
Instruments and controls2-23

4. Push the power switch while depressingthe brake pedal within 10 seconds af ter
the chime sounds. The power switch
position changes to the READY to drive
mode.
Af ter step 3 is performed, if the power
switch is pushed without depressing the
brake pedal, the power switch position will
change to ACC.
NOTE:
• When the power switch is pushed to the ACC or ON position or READY to
drive mode by the above procedure,
the EV system operation for dis-
charged Intelligent Key system indica-
tor appears on the vehicle information
display even if the Intelligent Key is in-
side the vehicle. This is not a malfunc-
tion. To stop the warning indicator
from blinking, touch the power switch
with the Intelligent Key again.
• If the Intelligent Key battery discharge indicator appears on the vehicle infor-
mation display, replace the battery as
soon as possible. For additional infor-
mation, refer to “NISSAN Intelligent
Key® battery replacement” in the
“Maintenance and do-it-yourself ” sec-
tion of this manual.
NISSAN VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER
SYSTEM
The NISSAN Vehicle Immobilizer System
will not allow the power switch to be placed
in the READY to drive position without the
use of the registered key.
If the power switch fails to place the vehicle
into the READY to drive position using the
registered key, it may be due to interfer-
ence caused by another registered key, an
automated toll road device or automated
payment device on the key ring. Restart the
EV system using the following procedure:
1. Leave the power switch in the ON posi- tion for approximately 5 seconds.
2. Place the power switch in the OFF posi- tion and wait approximately 10 seconds.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 again.
4. Place the power switch in the READY to drive position while holding the device
(which may have caused the interfer-
ence) separate from the registered key.
If this procedure allows the power
switch to be placed in the READY to drive
mode, NISSAN recommends placing the
registered key on a separate key ring to
avoid interference from other devices. • Make sure that the area around the ve-
hicle is clear.
• Check fluid levels such as coolant, brake fluid, and windshield-washer fluid as fre-
quently as possible.
• Check that all windows and lights are clean.
• Visually inspect tires for their appearance and condition. Also check tires for proper
inflation.
• Check that all doors are closed.
• Position the seat and adjust the head restraints/headrests.
• Adjust the inside and outside mirrors.
• Fasten seat belts and ask all passengers to do likewise.
• Check the operation of the warning lights when the power switch is pushed to the
ON position. For additional information,
refer to “Warning lights, indicator lights
and audible reminders” in the “Instru-
ments and controls” section of this
manual.
BEFORE STARTING THE EV SYSTEM
5-14Starting and driving

8 Maintenance and do-it yourself
Maintenance requirement.......................8-2
Scheduled maintenance .....................8-2
General maintenance ........................8-2
Where to go for service .......................8-2
General maintenance ...........................8-2
Explanation of maintenance items ...........8-2
Maintenance precautions .......................8-5
Motor compartment check locations ...........8-7
Cooling system .................................8-8
Checking coolant level .......................8-9
Changing coolant ............................8-9
Reduction gear fluid ............................ 8-10
Brake fluid ...................................... 8-10
Windshield-washer fluid .........................8-11
12-volt battery .................................. 8-12
Jump starting ............................... 8-14
Windshield wiper blades ........................8-14
Cleaning .................................... 8-14
Replacing ................................... 8-14Rear window wiper blade
...................8-17
Brakes ......................................... 8-17
Brake pad wear warning ....................8-17
Fuses .......................................... 8-18
Motor compartment ........................ 8-18
Passenger compartment ...................8-21
Nissan Intelligent Key® battery replacement ....8-22
Lights .......................................... 8-24
Headlights .................................. 8-25
Fog lights (if so equipped) ...................8-25
Exterior and interior lights ...................8-26
Wheels and tires ............................... 8-28
Tire pressure ................................ 8-28
Tire labeling ................................. 8-33
Types of tires ................................ 8-35
Tire chains .................................. 8-36
Changing wheels and tires ..................8-37
Emergency tire puncture repair kit ..........8-39

and that the locks (if so equipped) hold
securely in all latched positions.
Seat belts:Check that all parts of the seat
belt system (for example, buckles, anchors,
adjusters and retractors) operate properly
and smoothly, and are installed securely.
Check the belt webbing for cuts, fraying,
wear or damage.
Steering wheel: Check for changes in the
steering conditions, such as excessive free
play, hard steering or strange noises.
Warning lights and chimes: Make sure
that all warning lights and chimes are op-
erating properly.
Windshield defroster: Check that the air
emits from the defroster outlets properly
and in sufficient quantity when operating
the heater or air conditioner.
Windshield wiper and washer*: Check
that the wipers and washers operate prop-
erly and that the wipers do not streak.
Under hood and vehicle
The maintenance items listed here should
be checked periodically.
12-volt battery (except for maintenance
free batteries)*: Check the fluid level in
each cell. The fluid should be at the bottom of the filler opening. Vehicles operated in
high temperatures or under severe condi-
tions require frequent checks of the 12–volt
battery fluid level.
NOTE:
Care should be taken to avoid situations
that can lead to potential battery dis-
charge and potential no-start conditions
such as:
1. Installation or extended use of elec-
tronic accessories that consume bat-
tery power when the EV system is not
running (Phone chargers, GPS, DVD
players, etc.)
2. Vehicle is not driven regularly and/or only driven short distances.
In these cases, the battery may need to
be charged to maintain battery health.
Brake fluid level*: Make sure that the brake
fluid level is between the MAX and MIN lines
on the reservoir.
Coolant level*: Check the coolant level
when the high voltage parts are cold. Make
sure that the coolant level is between the
MAX and MIN lines on the reservoir.
Fluid leaks: Check under the vehicle for
water or other fluid leaks af ter the vehicle
has been parked for a while. Water dripping from the air conditioner af ter use is normal.
If you should notice any leaks, check for
cause and have it corrected immediately.
Radiator and hoses:
Check the front of the
radiator and clean off any dirt, insects,
leaves, etc., that may have accumulated.
Make sure that the hoses have no cracks,
deformation, rot or loose connections.
Underbody: The underbody is frequently
exposed to corrosive substances such as
those used on icy roads or to control dust. It
is very important to remove these sub-
stances, otherwise rust will form on the
floor pan and frame. At the end of winter,
the underbody should be thoroughly
flushed with plain water, being careful to
clean those areas where mud and dirt may
accumulate. For additional information, re-
fer to “Cleaning exterior” in the “Appearance
and care” section of this manual.
Windshield-washer fluid*: Check that
there is an adequate amount of fluid in the
reservoir.
8-4Maintenance and do-it yourself

When performing any inspection or main-
tenance work on your vehicle, always take
care to prevent serious accidental injury to
yourself or damage to the vehicle. The fol-
lowing are general precautions that should
be closely observed.
WARNING
• The EV system uses high voltage up
to approximately DC 400 volt. The
system can be hot during and af ter
starting and when the vehicle is shut
off. Be careful of both the high volt-
age and the high temperature. Obey
the labels that are attached to the
vehicle.
• Never disassemble, remove or re-
place high-voltage parts and cables
as well as their connectors. High-
voltage cables are colored orange.
• Disassembling, removing or replac-
ing those parts or cables can cause
severe burns or electric shock that
may result in serious injury or death.
The vehicle high-voltage system has
no user serviceable parts. It is recom-
mended that you visit a NISSAN cer-
tified LEAF dealer for any necessary
maintenance. •
Park the vehicle on a level surface,
apply the parking brake securely and
chock the wheels to prevent the ve-
hicle from moving. Push the P (Park)
position switch on the shif t lever or
place the vehicle into the N (Neutral)
position.
• If you must work with the EV (Electric
Vehicle) system is turned on, keep
hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from moving fans and any other
moving parts.
• Make sure that the power switch is in
the OFF or LOCK position when per-
forming any part replacement or
repairs.
• It is advisable to secure or remove
any loose clothing and remove any
jewelry, such as rings, watches, etc.
before working on your vehicle.
• Always wear eye protection when-
ever you work on your vehicle.
• Never get under the vehicle while it is
supported only by a jack. If it is nec-
essary to work under the vehicle,
support it with safety stands.
• Keep smoking materials, flames and
sparks away from the 12-volt battery.
CAUTION
• Do not work under the hood while
the motor compartment is hot. Push
the power switch in the OFF position
and wait until it cools down.
• Avoid direct contact with used cool-
ant. Improperly disposed coolant
and/or other vehicle fluids can dam-
age the environment. Always con-
form to local regulations for the dis-
posal of vehicle fluids.
• Never connect or disconnect the bat-
tery or any transistorized compo-
nent while the power switch is in the
ON position.
• Your vehicle is equipped with an au-
tomatic cooling fan. It may come on
at any time without warning, even if
the power switch is not in the ACC, ON
or READY to drive position. To avoid
injury, always disconnect the nega-
tive 12-volt battery cable before
working near the fan.
• Before performing any electrical
maintenance work on the vehicle
such as the battery, fuses or bulb re-
placement, confirm the following:
– The charge connector is removed
from the vehicle.
MAINTENANCE PRECAUTIONS
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-5

CHECKING COOLANT LEVEL
Check the coolant levelin the reservoir
when the high-voltage parts are cold. If
the coolant level is below the MIN level
OB,
open the reservoir cap and add coolant up
to the MAX level
OA. If the reservoir is empty,
check the coolant level in the coolant res-
ervoir when the high-voltage parts are
cold. If there is insufficient coolant in the
coolant reservoir, fill the coolant reservoir
with coolant up to the reservoir cap open-
ing and also add it to the reservoir up to the
MAX level
OA. Tighten the cap securely af ter adding cool-
ant.
For additional information on the location
of the coolant reservoir, refer to “Motor
compartment check locations” in this sec-
tion.
If the cooling system frequently requires
coolant, it is recommended that you visit
a NISSAN certified LEAF dealer.
CHANGING COOLANT
It is recommended that major cooling sys-
tem repairs should be performed by a
NISSAN certified LEAF dealer. The service
procedures can be found in the appropri-
ate NISSAN Service Manual.
Improper servicing can result in reduced
heater performance.
WARNING
• To avoid the danger of being scalded,
never change the coolant when the
motor compartment is hot.
• Never remove the coolant reservoir
cap when the motor compartment is
hot. Serious burns could be caused
by high-pressure fluid escaping from
the radiator. •
Avoid direct skin contact with used
coolant. If skin contact is made, wash
thoroughly with soap or hand
cleaner as soon as possible.
• Keep coolant out of reach of children
and pets.
Coolant must be disposed of properly.
Check your local regulations.
LDI3145
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-9

Fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir
periodically. Add windshield-washer fluid
when the “Low Washer Fluid” message ap-
pears on the vehicle information display.
For additional information, refer to “Vehicle
information display warnings and indica-
tors” in the “Instruments and controls” sec-
tion of this manual.
To fill the windshield-washer fluid reservoir,
lif t the cap
O1and pour the windshield-
washer fluid into the reservoir opening. Add a windshield-washer solvent to the
reservoir for better cleaning. In the winter
season, add a windshield-washer anti-
freeze. Follow the manufacturer’s instruc-
tions for the mixture ratio.
Refill the reservoir more frequently when
driving conditions require an increased
amount of windshield-washer fluid.
Recommended fluid:
Genuine NISSAN Windshield-Washer Con-
centrate Cleaner & Antifreeze or equivalent
CAUTION
• Do not substitute antifreeze coolant
for windshield-washer solution. This
may result in damage to the paint.
• Do not fill the windshield-washer
reservoir with windshield-washer
fluid concentrates at full strength.
Some methyl alcohol based
windshield-washer fluid concen-
trates may permanently stain the
grille if spilled while filling the
windshield-washer reservoir. •
Pre-mix windshield-washer fluid
concentrates with water to the
manufacturer’s recommended levels
before pouring the fluid into the
windshield-washer reservoir. Do not
use the windshield-washer reservoir
to mix the windshield-washer fluid
concentrate and water.LDI3463
WINDSHIELD-WASHER FLUID
Maintenance and do-it yourself8-11

The following are approximate capacities. The actual refill capacities may be slightly different. When refilling, follow the procedure
described in the “Maintenance and do-it-yourself ” section to determine the proper refill capacity.
Fluid typeCapacity (approximate)
Recommended Fluids/Lubricants
Metric
Measure US
Measure Imperial
Measure
Cooling system
coolant With reservoir 5.3 L 5-5/8 qt 4-5/8 qt
• Pre-diluted Genuine NISSAN Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue) or
equivalent
Reservoir 0.5 L 1/2 qt 1/2 qt
Reduction gear fluid 1.4 L 1-1/2 qt 1-1/4 qt • Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
• Using reduction gear fluid other than Genuine NISSAN Matic S ATF
will cause deterioration in driveability and reduction gear durability,
and may damage the reduction gear, which is not covered by the
NISSAN’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Brake fluid Refill to the proper level according to the in-
structions in the “Maintenance and do-it- yourself ” section. • Genuine NISSAN Super Heavy Duty Brake Fluid* or equivalent DOT 3
*: Available in mainland U.S.A. through a NISSAN certified LEAF
dealer.
Multi-purpose grease — — — • NLGI No. 2 (Lithium soap base)
Air conditioning system refrigerant — — — • HFC-134a (R-134a)
• For additional information, refer to “Air conditioner specification
label” in this section.
Air conditioning system lubricants — — — • With heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil ND-OIL11 or equiva-
lent.
• Without heater pump use NISSAN A/C System Oil AE10 or equiva- lent.
Windshield washer fluid (US) 2.5 L 5/8 gal 1/2 gal • Genuine NISSAN Windshield Washer Concentrate Cleaner & Anti-
freeze fluid or equivalent
Windshield washer fluid (Canada) 4.5 L 1–1/4 gal 1 gal
RECOMMENDED FLUIDS/
LUBRICANTS AND CAPACITIES
9-2Technical and consumer information